Abdominal cavity
contains most of the viscera
Abdominopelvic cavity
contains the stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, and most of the small and large intestines. It also contains urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs such as a vagina, uterus and ovaries
Anatomy
the study of the body plan of organisms
Atom
the basic unit of matter
Cardiovascular system
the heart, blood vessels, and blood that circulates throughout the body; delivers nutrients and other essential materials to cells, and removes waste products
Cell
the functional basic unit of life
Chemical
a substance that cannot be separated without breaking bonds
Coronal plane
is any vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal (belly and back) sections
Cranial cavity
contains the brain
Cross section
a cutting along the short axis of a structure
Deep
further from the surface of the body
Diaphragm
a sheet of muscle separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Digestive system
the alimentary canal together with the salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and other organs; it chemically and physically processes food for absorption
Distal
further from the trunk of the body
Effector
muscles, organs, or other structures that receive signals from the control center
Endocrine system
hormone secreting glands; functions to regulate body activities
Homeostasis
maintaining conditions within a narrow range
Inferior
below another part of the body
Integumentary system
the skin and its associated structures, such as the hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands; it protects the body from loss of water and other forms of damage
Lateral
further from the midline of the body
Longitudinal section
a cutting along the long axis of a structure
Lymphatic system
a network of vessels, tissues, and organs that helps the body regulate fluid balance and fight infection
Macromolecule
a very large molecule commonly created by polymerization of smaller subunits
Medial
closer to the midline of the body
Mediastinum
contains the heart, the esophagus, the trachea, the phrenic nerve, the cardiac nerve, the thoracic duct, the thymus, and the lymph nodes of the central chest
Molecule
two or more atoms covalently bonded together
Muscular system
skeletal, smooth, and cardiac _____ tissue; it functions in movement of the body or of materials through the body, maintenance of posture, and heat production
Negative feedback
occurs when the result of a process influences the operation of the process itself in such a way as to reduce changes
Nervous system
the brain, spinal cord, _____, ganglia, and parts of the receptor and effector organs; it regulates the body's responses to internal and external stimuli
Oblique section
slicing a structure in any plane that does not parallel the longitudinal axis or intersect it at a right angle
Organ
a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function
Organ system
a group of organs working together to accomplish a task
Organelle
a specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function
Parietal membrane
the layer of a serous membrane that is in contact with a body wall
Pericardial membrane (pericardium)
the serous membrane that encloses the heart and the roots of the aorta and other large blood vessels
Peritoneal membrane
the serous membrane that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and folds inward to enclose the viscera
Physiology
the study of the functions of organisms
Pleural membrane
the serous membrane that covers the lungs
Reproductive system
gonads, associated ducts, and external genitals concerned with sexual reproduction
Respiratory system
organs and tissues involved in drawing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide: in mammals it includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and the diaphragm
Pelvic cavity
primarily contains reproductive organs, the urinary bladder, the pelvic colon, and the rectum
Pericardial cavity
a potential space between the parietal pericardium and visceral layer
Posterior
back of the body
Positive feedback
a mechanism where a change causes additional change away from the normal state
Proximal
closer to the trunk of the body
Receptor
provides information about conditions within the body
Response
in negative feedback, the change that brings conditions back to normal. In positive feedback, the change that pushes conditions farther from normal.
Sagittal plane
divides the body from the left to the right
Serous fluid
a thin watery fluid found in many body cavities
Serous membrane
a double walled membrane that secretes lubricating fluid in the cavity that forms between the membranes
Skeletal system
the bones, their associated cartilages, and the joints; it supports and protects the body, produces blood cells, and stores minerals
Stimulus
change in the internal environment
Superficial
closer to the surface of the body
Thoracic cavity
contains the heart esophagus, trachea, lungs and other organs of the chest
Tissue
a collection of similar cells of similar origin that carry out the same function
Transverse plane
divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Urinary system
organs and tissues involved with regulation of water content and salt concentration in the body and with the excretion of metabolic wastes and excess water and salt
Vertebral canal
contains the spinal cord
Viscera
internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)
Visceral membrane
the layer of a serous membrane that is in contact with an organ